Public Health Course Descriptions

PUBH-105 (HEPR-105). INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH 3:3:0

This course introduces students to the broad context of public health, including the mission, core functions, structure, policy role and program activities. Theoretical and practical perspectives are presented to illustrate contemporary strategies for health promotion and disease prevention, and how public health operates at the state and national levels. Critical health issues are examined from a practice perspective to stimulate classroom discussion of both the problem and the public health system’s efforts to solve the problem. Credit, three hours.

MVSC-191. UNIVERSITY SEMINAR I. 1:2:0
University Seminar is a two-semester General Education course sequence that develops academic skills including critical reading, thinking, writing, speaking, and computer and information literacy. The goals and objectives of the General Education Program are introduced in these courses and subsequently embedded across the curriculum in each of the majors and selected concentrations. Class activities provide each student with the opportunity to cultivate the skills and knowledge necessary to become a life-long learner. A global, multi-cultural perspective is used to discuss moral and ethical issues, values, peer pressure, wellness, nutrition, and health issues. Other goals of this course are: knowledge of the University’s history, development of the sense of University community, and a shared common educational experience with other freshmen.
Credit: one hour.

MVSC-192. UNIVERSITY SEMINAR II. 1:1:0
University Seminar is a two-semester General Education course sequence that develops academic skills including critical reading, thinking, writing, speaking, and computer and information literacy. The goals and objectives of the General Education Program are introduced in these courses and subsequently embedded across the curriculum in each of the majors and selected concentrations. Class activities provide each student with the opportunity to cultivate the skills and knowledge necessary to become a life-long learner. A global, multi-cultural perspective is used to discuss moral and ethical issues, values, peer pressure, wellness, nutrition, and health issues. The second semester course focuses on career and graduate school information, resume development, and development of communication skills. Other goals of this course are: knowledge of the University’s history, development of the sense of University community, and a shared common educational experience with other freshmen.
Credit: one hour.

PUBH-205 (HEPR – 205). Foundations of Health Education 3:3:0
The health education profession is dedicated to excellence in the promotion of individual, family, organizational, and community health. Health educators are responsible for upholding the integrity and ethics of the profession as they face the daily challenges of making decisions. This course examines the field of health education in term of historical developments, professional standards, roles, theoretical foundations, ethics, application, and settings. This course also addresses the professional competencies and the academic preparation of health educators as well as the role of professional organizations in public health. Credit, three hours.

PUBH-220 (HEPR – 220). Public Health Informatics and Communication 3:3:0
This course provides an overview of the development, design, and delivery process for public health communications and informatics. Students will gain both conceptual and theoretical knowledge as well as practical experience in a variety of communications, including instructional, clinical, and technological. Prerequisites: HEPR 105, HEPR 205. Credit, three hours.

PUBH-234 (HEPR-234). Global Health 3:3:0
This course addresses the fundamental frameworks to understanding global health issues and health enhancement at a population level. This course examines major health and health-related challenges faced by developing nations as well as nations with limited resources and how global health partners are identifying solutions to challenges. Students will analyze various health issues and disorders faced by many nations in a variety of cultural settings and health systems relative to global health goals and partnerships. Credit, three hours.

PUBH-236 (HEPR-236). Substance Use and Abuse 3:3:0
Substance abuse has a major impact on individuals, families, and communities. This course will address the consumption of mind and behavior altering substances that have a negative impact on health and behavior. Social, political and legal attitudes and responses to the consumption of alcohol and use of illicit drugs have made substance abuse a highly complex public health issue. This course will examine the significance of the substance abuse issue within the criminal justice system and the debate as to whether substance abuse is a disease with genetic and biological foundations or a matter of personal choice. Credit, three hours.

PUBH-330 (HEPR – 330). Introduction to Chronic Diseases 3:3:0
Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in the United States. This course will focus on the prevention, consequences, and control of selected chronic diseases (cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc). This course will investigate risk factors and preventative measures for chronic diseases as related to public health and the role of genomics in chronic disease management. Prerequisites: HEPR 105, HEPR 205, BIOL 208. Credit, three hours.

PUBH-331 (HEPR – 331). Observation and Fieldwork 3:3:0
This course provides Public Health majors with field work experience for a minimum of sixty hours on a part-time basis. Students will select a community health agency or public health facility in the local area to complete the required hours. Prerequisites: HEPR 105, HEPR 205; CPR, First Aid, AED certification. Credit, three hours

PUBH-332 (HEPR – 332). Health Administration and Policy 3:3:0
This course will examine the organization, financing aspects and delivery of public and personal health services. Current health policy and management issues as related to access, quality and cost will be a major emphasis. Credit, three hours.

PUBH-333 (HEPR – 333). Infectious Diseases and Injury Prevention 3:3:0
The purpose of this course is to address epidemiological patterns, etiology and risk factors of selected infectious diseases from a population perspective. This course will also address emerging infectious diseases and epidemiologic transition. Infectious diseases are a major worldwide health dilemma. They are responsible for the loss of life of millions of children and crippling chronic conditions among adults, especially in developing countries. Prerequisites: HEPR 105, HEPR 205, BIOL 208. Credit, three hours.

PUBH-335 (HEPR – 335). Mental Health and Stress Management 3:3:0
This course focuses on issues relating to mental and emotional health, including stress and stress management. Services in the community are also explored. Credit, three hours.

PUBH-337 (HEPR – 337). Program Planning/Evaluation in Health Education/Promotion 3:3:0
This course provides students with a sequential model for community health program planning. Major elements of the course include the following: the study of philosophies, the performance of a needs assessment, the development of health goals and objectives, the construction of a health education/health promotion program and evaluation measures. Prerequisites: HEPR 105, HEPR 205. Credit, three hours.

PUBH-339 (HEPR – 339). Human Sexuality 3:3:0
This course addresses the basic aspects of human sexuality, including human sexual response, the development of sex roles and sexual lifestyles, the reproduction and control of reproduction, AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and societal legal implications of sexuality. Credit, three hours.

PUBH-340 (HEPR – 340). Health Disparities 3:3:0
This course is a critical analysis of the historical, political, economic, social, cultural and environmental conditions that lead to inequitable health status in the United States population. Parameters such as ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age and disability contribute to health disparity among specific populations and communities. Prerequisites: HEPR 105, HEPR 205. Credit, three hours.

PUBH-402 (HEPR – 402). Environmental Health 3:3:0
This course examines the causes and approaches to control major environmental health problems. This course will address physical, chemical, and biological agents of environmental contamination and vectors of dissemination (air, water, soil), solid and hazardous waste issues and population susceptible environmental health problems. This course will also address the role of science in policy decisions and other emerging global environmental health problems. Prerequisites: HEPR 105, HEPR 205. Credit, three hours.

PUBH-410 (HEPR – 410). School and Community Health Education 3:3:0
This course examines the relationship between childhood health and the K-12 school experience. The eight components of the Centers for Disease Control-coordinated school health program model is the organizing framework. Topics include the history and development of school health, the relationships of in-school health interventions to student health status, health care access, and academic outcomes. Prerequisites: HEPR 105, HEPR 205. Credit, three hours

PUBH-431 (HEPR – 431). Principles of Epidemiology 3:3:0
Epidemiology is considered a basic science of public health. This course addresses the basic principles and methods of epidemiologic investigation including relative to patterns of illness and the etiology of disease. This course will introduce quantitative measures to determine risk and the standardization of rate procedures. Prerequisites: MTSC 241, PSYC 322, or SCWK310; HEPR 105, HEPR 205. Credit, three hours

PUBH-432 (HEPR – 432). Health Practicum 3:3:0
The purpose of the Health Practicum is to provide Public Health students the opportunity to apply knowledge and experiences obtained in public health coursework in a real-world setting. The Health Practicum is a 400 hour structured and supervised professional experience with an approved agency. Prerequisite: Completion of Public Health coursework; CPR, First Aid, AED certification